Rock Stream Tree
by
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Dedicated to the Eastern Band Cherokee Reservation
Forward: We entered a special Cherokee garden above the Cherokee Oconaluftee Village in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. There were jagged rocks, and winding hills held by mossy paths of native trees and flowering shrubs. They had trickling creeks and waterfalls and led to young native villagers tending to vegetable gardens grown from seeds handed down to them from their ancestors. There were ponds of fish. From the village below, you could hear the voices of native Cherokee people teaching visitors about the ancient ways of making homes, fires, pottery, foods, medicines, celebrations of music, dance, native costumes, trading skills, canoes, blow guns and the ways of survival. All these lessons echoed around the garden hills, rocks, streams, trees, and breezes so very quietly we thought our listening could catch just some of the stories. AND What follows here are some imagined stories a rock, a stream, and a tree might tell of their events on some days and nights when they struggle to stay healthy, alive, and protect and prepare for those who might come after them. from page 19, chapter 6 TREE: "Now what? demanded the tree ROCK: "Excavation!" replied the rock STREAM: "Looks like they are taking some of our rock's family away. Yes....that is what it looks like. Trucks and vans being loaded with ....yes....rocks. Probably for the home landscape would be my guess." ROCK: "There goes my support system!" yelled the rock TREE: "There one day, gone the next." stated the tree STREAM: "Rock, it is truly a blessing to be as dense as you are. You are not going to be anyone's mailbox prop or sit among a bunch of dead neglected flowers any time soon." consoled the stream ROCK: " I can't watch." cried the rock TREE: "We'll keep you posted." laughed the tree
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About the Book
Rock, Stream, Tree is a group of conversations between a very big smart rock, a very energetic, creative stream, and a large brainy, somewhat obsessive tree. They are endangered and they know it. They try to watch out for each other, help each other, and put up with each other's daily quests. They are bound by predatory people and conditions, but they are rarely beaten. They are survivors who use humor to get by and stay connected. They are fun to read about as their voices are loud and clear. The rock likes to be described as "teen solid", while the stream refers to herself as "mischievously gifted", and the tree said to tell you he is "above it all."
About the Author
Ann R. Zito has been a Horticulturist for 34 years as a Landscape Contractor, Educator and as a Municipal employee for Orlando Parks and sites registered on the National Historic Homes and Sites Registry. for the state of Florida. Ann wrote Rock Stream Tree as Performance Art for children of all ages beginning with youngsters ages 6 and up. Older students like RST also. The book Rock Stream Tree is designed for children to use to create their own play. It is full of puns and fun interactions between the characters of a large rock, a mischievous stream and a very old and strong tree. Ann owns a small business called House and Garden Services in Orlando. She has a son who is a history buff, and an informal educator at the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) in Ft. Lauderdale, Ann's husband, (also a history buff) is a constant source of some of the funniest stories Ann has ever heard, and works for the Lowes corporation. Ann and Jeff live in Orlando.